Napier April 30th. 1873. My dear McLean, The Rangatira leaves presently but I have little to add, to what I wrote yesterday. Fannin has posted you the printed translation of Sheehan's speech I shd. like to have it properly translated altho' I am confirmed the Mari version as printed is nothing like the Speech as delivered. Maney was with me just now to tell me that Renata had given him the real design of Sheehan which is to get such alterations in the Native Lands Act as to enable Natives to deal with their lands by lease outside the N. Land Court. Sheehan is then to be a sort of trustee in charge for the Natives. The scheme is not only to apply to lands in the Province but to Patea, Taupo, Poverty Bayeetc. Maney says the Natives are full of it and that Sheehan has them thoroughly in hand. Of course the thing is absurd but it shows the activity of the little scoundrel and what he is working for. The Writs that were to have issued are stopped until Sheehan has got to Auckland and taken counsel's opinion there as to the mode of proceeding. I have just telegraphed you that the Nuhaka Natives have stopped the Telegraph survey. Of course it will be all right directly but it is a pity the telegraph department does not know better than to commence works in Native districts without any reference to those in charge. Mr. Lemon has some down on Mr. Bold who wd. ordinarily have had charge of the work and who wd. have known better than to go to work without first reporting that he was going to do so. When the natives wd. have been informed and the whole matter arranged beforehand. Locke is now on his way to Wairoa and I have directed him to see Ihaka Whaunga and get the thing arranged. Russell has left Town for Waipukerau so I suppose his work is stopped for a time. I rather fancy He and Sheehan had a difference before party - probably Sheehan wanted money which Russell had not to give. In haste, Yours always, J. D. Ormond